Development partner agreed for next phase of Ashton Green

Published on 29 November 2017

A HOUSING developer has been selected to work on the next phase of building at a landmark regeneration site in the north of Leicester.

Leicester City Council has selected Kier Living as its development partner for the next parcel of housing development at Ashton Green – a major project involving creating a mixed-used community of up to 3,000 new homes, along with community and health facilities, employment land and retail.

Kier Living will deliver around 300 family homes, including affordable housing, from early 2019.

The city council has agreed to sell to Kier a 37-acre site off Bevan Road, on the eastern edge of the scheme between Beaumont Leys and Thurcaston, which will provide an important gateway into later phases of development.

The proposals include a range of high-quality contemporary two to five-bedroomed homes, designed to meet the environmental standards required for Ashton Green as a sustainable development. The development will also include about 13 acres of open space provision, sustainable drainage solutions and protected wildlife corridors.

Kier’s involvement in the scheme comes as the first new homes in the Ashton Green site, built by developer Morris Homes, near completion. The new development partnership with Kier is a further milestone in bringing forward land for high-quality new homes.

Leicester City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “I very much look forward to working with Kier Living on this next phase of development at Ashton Green.

“Work is already nearing completion on the Morris Homes properties, which were the first to commit to developing in Ashton Green, and now Kier’s involvement will continue that momentum and bring the complete scheme a step closer.”

Leicester City Council has already invested nearly £2m in highway infrastructure improvements since 2013 in support of the development and will continue to roll out a phased programme better walking, cycling routes, traffic-calming and public transport improvements over the next two to three years.

Ashton Green is planned as a housing-led mixed-use sustainable development of up 3,000 new homes, which will make a significant contribution towards delivering the new homes needed in the city over the next 20 years.

Leicester City Council has been taking a leading role in guiding the design of the site, both to work with developers on a high-quality housing scheme, and to retain influence and control over the future development.

When complete, the Ashton Green scheme will include a wide range of family houses, including rental and lower-cost affordable homes, as well as employment land for new jobs, new schools, community and health facilities, retail and public transport improvements, with around a third of the site will be retained as green space.

Kier Living Managing Director Chris King added: “As one of the most innovative and sustainable developments in Leicester in more than 30 years, we are delighted to be delivering the next phase of housing for the city.

“With around 300 new homes planned, we’re looking forward to working with the council and local community to deliver this exciting project.”